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IPSWICH City Council has seized two dogs following an attack on an elderly Ipswich woman and her treasured pooch.

Crystal Boatfield, 70, said her six-year-old Lhasa Apso, Sonny Boy, was attacked after it strayed from her yard in Bannerman Street, Riverview, on Sunday.

Although it was not certain whether Sonny Boy crawled under the neighbour’s fence or was dragged under after approaching foreign territory, he ended up being bitten numerous times by the two large male dogs.

Ms Boatfield was then bitten on the hands and legs as she tried to rescue her dog.

“It was about 6pm Sunday night. The girl across the road started screaming and all I could see was this other dog trying to pull Sonny in through the fence. He was vicious and just wouldn’t let go,” she said.

“How he got into the yard I don’t even know, but I was either protecting him or he was trying to protect me.”

The owners of cross-bred dogs Thurston and Bowen – which were both named after the North Queensland rugby league players – said their dogs were simply guarding their territory.

Despite being cleared of any wrong-doing, Kristina Carney said she and partner Steven Noon would build a new fence to keep their dogs confined to the back half of the yard.

“I do not believe my dogs would drag another dog into the yard to attack it, in fact I don’t think my dogs’ heads would even fit under the fence,” Ms Carney said.

“They are two big male dogs full of testosterone who were in their own yard at the time. I just really want people to know that they are not vicious mongrel dogs.”

Ms Boatfield was treated for bite marks to her hands and legs after Sunday’s attack and is resting at home.

Sonny Boy was treated by an RSPCA vet and is still recovering.

Ipswich City Council officers seized Thurston and Bowen – classed as an American Staffordshire cross and a bull Arab cross – following another incident on Monday.

A child from a neighbouring property allegedly leaned over the back fence and attempted to hit one of the dogs with an object, prompting the animal to jump up and snap at the child, causing a minor injury.

Health and Regulation Committee chairman Andrew Antoniolli said the child’s parents did not make a complaint due to the circumstances of the incident.

“The dogs have been seized and lodged at the Ipswich City Council pound until council is satisfied the fencing at the property is sufficient,” Cr Antoniolli said.

“The owners of the dogs have co-operated fully and at no stage has there been any suggestion the dogs have left the property. Both incidents appear to have been sparked by the dogs being annoyed by means out of their control.”

Council is considering whether or not Bowen and Thurston should be declared as dangerous dogs.

Meanwhile, Australian Veterinary Association president Dr Mark Lawrie warned all dogs had the potential to bite if threatened.

Despite a downward trend in the number of attacks on children aged nine or less, young children are still the highest risk group for dog bite injuries.